As filmmaker Mani Ratnam turns 69 on Monday, actor and the headliner of his upcoming film Thug Life, Kamal Haasan has extended his birthday wishes.

In his birthday post, Kamal recalled his relationship with his director saying, "From Nayakan to Thug Life, we’ve journeyed through time together — as colleagues, family, co-dreamers, and above all, as lifelong students of cinema."

Kamal hailed Mani as his "source of strength" through every chapter and that latter is the person who he turns to whenever he is in doubt.

Thug Life marks the second collaboration between the two after their first, the cult classic Nayakan (1987).

The film also stars Silambarasan, Trisha, Nassar, Joju George, Ali Fazal, Aishwarya Lekshmi and Abhirami, all of whom have been cast in crucial roles.

The technical crew of Thug Life features cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, music director AR Rahman, editor Sreekar Prasad and action directors Anbariv. The film is a co-production between Udhayanidhi's Red Giant Movies, Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Film International, and Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies.

Thug Life is set for a worldwide release on June 5.